“FRIDAYS WITH THE WIZARDS,” by Jessica Day George, Bloomsbury, $16.99, 234 pages (ages 8-12)
Back from their adventures to help save the castle and griffins from a dangerous wizard, 12-year-old Princess Celie and her family and friends are settling into life with baby griffins hatching in “Fridays With the Wizards,” the fourth book in local author Jessica Day George’s Castle Glower series that started with “Tuesdays at the Castle.”
Celie has new passages and rooms in the ever-changing Castle Glower to explore, and her sister, Lilah, is unexpectedly engaged and so there is a wedding to plan.
However, Arkwright, the dangerous wizard, escapes while in custody. Celie thinks she knows how to find him, but it would mean permanently changing part of the castle.
But she’s 12 and the youngest among her siblings — the Royal Wizard Bran, the heir Rolf and Lilah — and it doesn’t seem like anyone takes her ideas seriously. And emotions are running high with wedding preparations and as Arkwright creates some havoc of his own.
With Rufus, her griffin, and some secret magic, Celie takes to the castle’s secret passages to help corner Arkwright.
It’s an entertaining and adventurous installment in the Castle Glower series for middle grade readers as Celie, her family and friends, and the griffins defend the castle from an internal threat. More of the history of the castle and Celie’s mother, Queen Celina, are explored.
Celie also learns several lessons along the way, including that she does have skills and talents to contribute to the royal family.
The cast of characters has expanded with the griffins, and George does an admirable job of giving each just enough personality traits to make it unique.
George has thankfully resolved the story at the end (instead of leaving a cliffhanger like with “Wednesdays in the Tower”). With a royal wedding in the offing, the ending is left wide open for a sequel and more adventures.
Those who haven’t read the previous installments shouldn’t feel lost reading “Fridays With the Wizards,” which is scheduled to be released on Feb. 9, as George includes enough background to catch readers up on the previous adventures.
George, who is a Brigham Young University graduate and Salt Lake City resident, is the author of a dozen books for middle grade and young adult readers, including the Dragon Slippers series.
There is no swearing or sexual content, and any violence is described in an age-appropriate way.
If you go ...
What: "Fridays with the Wizards" book launch party and Jessica Day George book signing
When: Tuesday, Feb. 9, 7 p.m.
Where: The King's English Bookshop, 1511 S. 1500 East, Salt Lake City
Web: kingsenglish.com, jessicadaygeorge.com
Note: Places in the signing line are reserved for those who purchase a copy of the featured book from The King's English.
Email: rappleye@deseretnews.com, Twitter: CTRappleye